The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs revealed that vast receiver Hollywood Brown wouldn’t follow on Thursday, three days forward of their matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
After Brown suffered a sternoclavicular put up dislocation within the preseason, the hope was that he would have the ability to return to follow this week. However his restoration time appears to be taking longer than anticipated, as head coach Andy Reid indicated on Wednesday.
What does that imply for the Chiefs going up in opposition to the Bengals? One other heavy dose of rookie vast receiver Xavier Worthy, who’s using excessive after his two-touchdown season-opener.
Nonetheless no follow for #Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown on Thursday, which possible means one other stable dose of rookie WR Xavier Worthy in opposition to the Bengals this week. Worthy performed 34 snaps (63%) in opposition to the Ravens, a quantity that stands to extend this week. pic.twitter.com/ZS3al32oC0
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) September 12, 2024
Worthy’s first NFL contact — a reverse — became a landing. In the event that they didn’t perceive earlier than, the Chiefs teaching employees now is aware of discovering methods to get the rookie the ball in house is a precedence.
“It’s important as a result of he’s a playmaker with the ball in his arms,” mentioned offensive coordinator Matt Nagy of Worthy on Thursday. “Most defenses that you simply discuss to, they at all times are involved in regards to the pace aspect from gamers — defensive coordinators. What [Worthy] did at Texas and what he [was] capable of do right here his first recreation, it’s necessary to get him going. He’s a particular participant, however once more, he has a methods to go. He made a pleasant play on the catch down the sideline, but it surely’s our job to verify — the attractive factor is we’ve acquired quite a lot of instruments to have the ability to work with the participant, and he’s a giant a part of that.”
With Brown out for Week 1, Worthy most likely noticed extra snaps than he would have, logging 34 for second solely behind Rashee Rice (42) among the many group’s wideouts. The unique plan was for Worthy to return punts — and although that also appears like a risk, Kansas Metropolis is prone to stay cautious.
“He’s an possibility,” mentioned particular groups coordinator Dave Toub. “Clearly, we wish to ease him in, however we actually didn’t ease him in, I assume. Two touchdowns. He’s off and operating. He’s a man that [with] Mecole [Hardman], him, Skyy Moore — all three of these guys I really feel comfy again there as a punt returner.
“[Worthy’s] a man that, as soon as Hollywood Brown comes again, now you bought to determine. Any person’s acquired to go down. I don’t know who that man’s going to be. Which may put him again into the combo. We’ll see. However he’s a man that clearly we may go to, and we wouldn’t miss a beat with him, for certain.”
On Thursday, the Bengals had been requested about Worthy’s risk to them. They dismissed what they noticed within the first recreation.
“Velocity, that’s about it,” cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt instructed reporters. “He can run straight — run jet sweeps and simply run straight. He can’t do an excessive amount of else, in order that’s about it.”
The Chiefs apparently produce other concepts.
